Wednesday, September 26, 2007

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia (26.September,2007) – Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Bosnia Dimitris Kourkoulas stated in Banja Luka yesterday that Bosnia has imposed sanctions upon itself by postponing or contributing the postponement of the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.

Ambassador Kourkoulas stated that the International Community's High Representative’s proposal on police reform was in accordance to the three EU principles.

But,Kourkoulas emphasized the progress Bosnia made related to signing the visa facilitation regime, as well as the ratification of the CEFTA agreement. He did warn, however, that the SAA is still the base for the country’s association to the EU.

He also said that the signing of the agreement on support to tourism is a sign that the European Commission does not impose any conditions to anyone. It solely asks the implementation of the association conditions and offers various kinds of aid in the process.